Wayne, Neb. --- Wayne State clinched a spot in next week’s Northern Sun Conference baseball tournament Friday afternoon by posting 12-4 and 11-5 wins at St. Cloud State in games played at Cold Spring, Minn. The ‘Cats are now 24-24 and 18-16 in the league while the host Huskies are 28-17 and 20-10 in NSIC play.

The opener saw the Wildcats jump out to a 11-2 lead after three innings to support starting pitcher Corbin Kirk who won for the fourth time in his last five starts as Wayne State finished with a 12-4 win.

WSC scored three runs in the opening frame thanks to a three-run homer from Colin Lynam giving the ‘Cats an early lead.

After St. Cloud State scored twice in the bottom of the first to narrow the gap, WSC responded with a five-run second that gave the ‘Cats an 8-2 cushion. Hunter Babe’s three-run homer to right center field was the big hit in the inning along with an RBI single by Chase Douglas.

Three more runs in the third put the ‘Cats in front 11-2. Carter Thomas and Colin Lynam each produced RBI singles for Wayne State.

SCSU scored twice in the fifth to make the score 11-4 and WSC added an insurance run in the seventh for the 12-4 victory. Braden Cannon had an RBI single in the seventh.

Wayne State held a 12-9 edge in hits over the Huskies. Colin Lynam was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs while Babe finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Thomas ended 2 for 3 with two RBIs while Cannon went 2 for 3 with two runs scored.

Kirk (4-4) pitched four innings to notch the win, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Josh Kilzer (1 2/3 innings) and Kolt Davis (1 1/3 innings) both worked in relief to close the contest.

The nightcap saw the Wildcats break open a close game with an eight-run sixth inning as Wayne State completed the sweep with

Both teams scored runs in the first inning. Colin Lynam’s RBI double brought home Thomas (walked).

SCSU took a 4-1 lead in the second with three runs, but the ‘Cats came back with single runs in the third and fourth innings to cut the Husky lead to 4-3. A solo homer from Babe accounted for the third inning run while Cade Lynam had a sacrifice fly that scored Cannon (double) with the second run.

Wayne State took control of the game in the sixth scoring eight runs, all unearned. Nick Barnett started the rally with a two-run single. Chase Douglas had an RBI single followed by a two-run single by Thomas. Colin Lynam capped the inning with a three-run homer to close the scoring.

Both teams had 10 hits in the contest. Colin Lynam finished 3 for 5 with a homer, double and four RBIs. Barnett went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs while Babe homered for the second straight game. Cannon doubled and scored twice.

Senior Logan Walters was superb in relief to pick up the pitching win, now 1-0 on the season. He worked 4 1/3 innings of relief and gave up just one run on three hits with five strikeouts. Starter Jackson Shelburne pitched four innings and was charged with four runs on seven hits while Cannon came on in the ninth and retired the final two batters with one strikeout.

The Wildcats conclude their three-game NSIC series at St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon with a nine-inning contest at 3 p.m. in Cold Spring, Minnesota.